In this great to the point interview, Charles Wilson a freelance designer based in Sydney shares his thoughts on how designers should support each other, being a designer in Australia, the current state of Australian design and more. Enjoy.
1. Charles, Welcome to Design Droplets. Thank you for taking the time to chat, could you please give a quick introduction on yourself. (about a paragraph).
Thanks Raph. I am a freelance designer based in Sydney. Most of my work has been in furniture – particularly with the Australian manufacturer, Woodmark, though I have also designed homewares and am currently working on a range of Architectural lighting.
2. You started out by forming a co-operative workshop with fellow graduates and created a collection of experimental furniture. How important is it for graduates (or even designers with quite progressed careers) to collaborate and support each other?
It can be especially valuable to exchange information and I’ve always had policy of being pretty open. If we’re not forthcoming about suppliers and technologies, brands, trade-shows, etc.it just holds everyone back. As for collaboration – that feels like a nice idea but I haven’t actually done it yet to be honest…
3. You have worked with both Australian (Woodmark, Euraluce and King Furniture) and International manufacturers (Magppie, MENU, Paustian), what differences have you noticed between working for international companies versus local companies?
I couldn’t really generalise except to say that Australia’s isolation is still, saddly, an issue in dealling with companies on the other side of the world. And though there are technologies facilitating imediate and accurate communication, it is amazing the benefits poximity has in doing business.
4. What advice would you give to those who are aiming to work with international or even local companies to produce their design?
Trust is probably the most important thing – Lack of trust has thwarted more good ideas than breach of trust. Try to avoid going in brandishing non-disclosure agreements and patents… If you’re uncertain of what your getting into, find out whether the company has worked with other independent designers before. If so that’s a good start as they would probably depend on having a reputation of treating designers well. If necessary contact one of the other designers to find out what you might expect in doing business with this company.
5. You have been awarded quite a few awards over the years, what affect has this type of recognition had on your career? And what advice do you have for others planning on entering design competitions and awards?
Well I haven’t stopped entering these competitions so my advice would be: Don’t try and be too original – judges generally prefer to play it safe. And best not worry too much about presentation – your idea is probably brilliant enough to be represented in just a few lines. Oh and if the deadline is too punishing, get some rest so that you stay fresh – clarity is important and they’re sure to slip you in a week or so late.
6. You have had a fair amount of press for your work. Apart from the obvious (producing awesome design work), what else do you think designers should do to help themselves get press coverage?
We’re fortunate to have an unusually well developed design media industry in Australia and practically every design publication here is keen to keep abreast of new designs and new talents. My advice is just to email them and follow up with a phone call. And another after that…. and…another.
Otherwise exhibitions and competitions have their own publicity machines so this can be a great way to introduce new work.
7. What are your thoughts on the current state of the Australian design scene?
Something that seems distinctive to the Australian scene is a pronounced and often hostile division between mainstream market-driven design, and that which is informed by a personal, creative expression. I think this divide is naive and unhelpful, and interestingly it is less pronounced in other mature design cultures such as the Danish and Italian scenes. Perhaps this is changing in Australia though – some of the younger design studios are mixing up client/market-responsive design with their own directional work.
8. What has been the biggest challenge associated with creating, promoting and selling yourself and your designs?
I’d have to say persisting in the face of rejections or derailments. Some of the work that I’m most proud of – designs with a real innovation in there function and use – I’ve had the most difficulty finding manufacturing partners for.
Charles, thanks for taking the time to talk with us here a Design Droplets.
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I love it! Nice edges!
i love how brief this one is. very succinct.
and some very interesting answers that are different from most of the other interviews and raise novel points
hmm. after a day of sketching and classic styling I’ve come to appreciate these really nice gentle and comfortable lines. not too bobbly at all.
nice furniture.